Cosmetic wand

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic wand having a tip adapted to remove vestiges of cosmetics in containers is disclosed. The cosmetic wand includes an upper portion adapted for gripping by a user and an unciform tip. The shape of the tip is adapted to remove makeup located along the top, bottom, and sides of a container, particularly in crevices and areas not reachable by conventional cosmetic applicators and applicator tips. The cosmetic wand can further include a housing and a mechanism is adapted to retract and extend the applicator from within the housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser.No. 61/379,595, filed Sep. 2, 2010.

2. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cosmetic wand that serves as acombination applicator and extractor, particularly a cosmetic wandhaving an unciform tip adapted to remove vestiges of cosmetics in acontainer.

3. Background

Consumers frequently waste valuable amounts of makeup because of theinsufficiency of applicators provided with makeup containers. Forexample, lipgloss, blush, eyeliner, eyeshadow, fragrance and other typesof cosmetics are typically sold to consumers with an elongatedtubular-shaped applicator in a container. While useful for theirintended purpose, these types of conventional applicators are notdesigned to remove vestiges of cosmetics in containers.

Conventional applicators are often provided having a brush orsponge-like tip to facilitate application of makeup. When cosmeticcontainers are first opened by a consumer, these types of applicatorsare fine. However, when makeup is almost depleted, consumers often findthemselves frustrated in their attempts to remove that last bit ofmakeup from the container. These conventional applicators are generallytoo short to reach the bottom of makeup containers and too inflexible toreach makeup remaining on the sides and near the top and bottom ofcontainers. As a result, consumers are essentially forced to discardcosmetic containers and purchase new makeup.

Applicator tips are similarly deficient. Brush and sponge-like types aredesigned to facilitate makeup application—not both application andextraction. Alternative applicators typically seek to control the amountof makeup on the applicator by controlling the size of the containeropening. While useful for certain types of makeup, e.g. mascara, thesetypes of applicators do not even attempt to extract makeup. In addition,these alternative applicators frequently provide little detail as to theshape or configuration of the applicator tip. Therefore, conventionalapplicators and applicator tips are manufactured such that removal ofmakeup on the sides, bottom, and top of a cosmetic container is close toimpossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a cosmetic wand having a tipadapted to remove vestiges of cosmetics in containers. The cosmetic wandincludes an upper portion adapted for gripping by a consumer and anunciform tip. Unciform, as used herein, means a tip that is hook-like inthat the shape of the tip is adapted to remove makeup located along thetop, bottom, and sides of a container, particularly in crevices andareas not reachable by conventional cosmetic applicators and applicatortips. In one configuration, the tip is angled near the top of the tip.However, the tip may have any configuration that facilitates removal ofmakeup.

In one aspect, the cosmetic wand also includes a housing and amechanism. The upper portion is coupled to the housing and themechanism. The mechanism is adapted to retract and extend theapplicator. In one optional configuration, the mechanism comprises aspring that is activated by a push button positioned at the top of thehousing. When the button is depressed initially, the applicator isextended. Thereafter, when the button is depressed, the applicator isretracted. The wand may, however, use any mechanism that is capable ofretracting and extending the applicator.

Accordingly, a cosmetic wand that serves as a combination applicator andextractor, particularly a cosmetic wand having an unciform tip adaptedto remove vestiges of cosmetics in a container is disclosed. Advantagesof the cosmetic wand will appear from the drawings and detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic wand;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the cosmetic wand shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cosmetic wand shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a cosmetic wand shown in a partially retractedposition;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a cosmetic wand shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a cosmetic wand shown in an extendedposition within a container;

FIG. 7 is front view of an alternative embodiment of a unciform tip; and

FIG. 8 is a second alternative embodiment of a unciform tip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a cosmetic wand10 for removing vestiges of makeup from a container (shown in FIG. 6).The cosmetic wand 10 includes an unciform tip 12 and an upper portion14. Unciform, as used herein, means a tip that is hook-like in that theshape of the tip is adapted to remove makeup located along the top,bottom, and sides of a container, particularly in crevices and areas notreachable by conventional cosmetic applicators and applicator tips.

FIG. 1 illustrates an unciform tip 12 having an upper surface 16, anextending surface 18, and a side surface 20. The upper surface 16 isillustrated as substantially horizontal. However, it may be angled orcurved to further facilitate removal of makeup from a container andremoval of the tip from the container, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the unciform tip 12 also includesan extending surface 18. The extending surface 18 may be tapered, asshown, or manufactured in any configuration that facilitates entry ofthe tip into a container (not shown). In this configuration the sidesurface is substantially vertical.

The unciform tip 12 can be made from any wipeable material suitable forwiping makeup onto the tip and removing makeup from the container.Contemplated materials are sponge-like, having absorption properties,and can include polyurethane foam or other materials suitable forapplication and extraction of makeup from a container.

The unciform tip is coupled to an upper portion 14. The upper portion 14may be integral with the unciform tip, as shown in FIG. 1.Alternatively, the upper portion is separate and made from the same or adifferent material. When the unciform tip is separate it may be attachedto the upper portion by any method, including by screwing the tip to theupper portion or by using an adhesive. The material of the upper portionmay be plastic or any material suitable for gripping by a user

In another aspect, the cosmetic wand may further include additional tipsused to facilitate application of makeup and/or extraction of makeup.

In another aspect, the cosmetic wand 10 includes a housing 20, amechanism 22, and applicator 24. The housing 20 can be removably affixedto a cosmetic container 26 (shown in FIG. 5).

The housing 20 may have any shape, color pattern or finish. Contemplatedhousing shapes include letters and numbers or a combination of letters,numbers, and geometrical shapes, including stars. In addition, as shownin FIG. 4, included on the housing may be any form of indicia 25.Particularly, indicia used to identify the manufacturer and/or owner ofthe cosmetic wand is contemplated such as NIKKI'S MAGIC WAND™.

The mechanism 22 is coupled to the housing 20 and the applicator 24. Inone configuration the mechanism 22 is adapted to engage the applicator24 such that it is capable of extending and retracting the applicator 24in predetermined orientations. The applicator may, therefore, extend orretract fully or partially within the housing. The applicator 24includes the upper portion 14 and one or more tips. These tips mayinclude a unciform tip 12, as previously described and/or a tip used tofacilitate application of a cosmetic.

In one configuration, the mechanism 22 includes an actuator 21 that ispositioned on or disposed within the housing. When the actuator 21 isactivated, it can engage a spring 28 such that the applicator 24 isextended. When the actuator 21 is depressed again, it engages the spring28 such that the applicator 24 is retracted. FIGS. 4 and 5 show thecosmetic wand 10 in a retracted position, while FIG. 6 shows thecosmetic wand 10 in an extended position while in a container 26, usingthis type of mechanism.

Alternative secondary mechanisms for retracting and extending themechanism 22 may be used. In another configuration, the secondarymechanism can includes a winding wheel disposed within the housing orother feature that allows for the mechanism to telescope in and out ofthe housing. When a winding wheel mechanism is alternatively used, theupper portion can rotate within the housing in a clockwise orcounterclockwise position to either extend or retract the applicator.

In yet another configuration, cosmetic wand includes an inner sleeve(not shown) coupled to the housing. The mechanism is then adapted toextend and retract the applicator, either by a user or other mechanismpulling and/or pushing on the inner sleeve.

Other contemplated configurations include one or more secondarymechanisms that can illuminate the housing, inflate and/or deflate atip, rotate or further actuate the tip to facilitate the removal ofmakeup from a container. In one embodiment, the push button may bepressed multiple times to activate the different mechanism.

Also, a cap or cover 30 may be provided with the cosmetic wand toprotect the tip and/or the applicator, where the applicator includes apart of the upper portion and one or more tips.

Thus, a cosmetic wand that serves as a makeup applicator and extractoris disclosed. While embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that manymore modifications are possible without departing from the inventiveconcepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restrictedexcept in the spirit of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic wand for removing vestiges of makeupfrom a cosmetic container comprising: an upper portion adapted forgripping by a user; and at least one unciform tip coupled to the upperportion and adapted to remove vestiges of makeup from the cosmeticcontainer.
 2. A cosmetic wand according to claim 1, further comprising ahousing coupled to the upper portion.
 3. A cosmetic wand according toclaim 2, further comprising a mechanism coupled to the housing.
 4. Acosmetic wand according to claim 3, wherein the mechanism is adapted toretract and extend the upper portion.
 5. A cosmetic wand according toclaim 4, wherein the mechanism is actuated by a spring coupled to theupper portion.
 6. A cosmetic wand according to claim 4, wherein themechanism is actuated by a telescoping mechanism coupled to the upperportion.
 7. A cosmetic wand according to claim 2, wherein the upperportion is connected to the housing.
 8. A cosmetic wand according toclaim 1, further comprising a sleeve coupled to the upper portion.
 9. Acosmetic wand according to claim 1, further comprising a cap disposedover the at least one unciform tip.
 10. A cosmetic wand according toclaim 1, further comprising an applicator tip adapted to facilitateapplication of makeup.
 11. A cosmetic wand according to claim 1, whereinthe at least one unciform tip is made from a wipeable material.
 12. Acosmetic wand according to claim 1, wherein the at least one unciformtip is integral with the upper portion.
 13. A cosmetic wand according toclaim 2, further comprising a secondary mechanism.
 14. A cosmetic wandaccording to claim 13, wherein the secondary mechanism is adapted toilluminate the housing.
 15. A cosmetic wand according to claim 13,wherein the secondary mechanism is adapted to inflate the at least oneunciform tip.
 16. A cosmetic wand according to claim 13, wherein thesecondary mechanism is adapted to deflate the at least one unciform tip.17. A cosmetic wand according to claim 13, wherein the secondarymechanism is adapted to rotate the at least one unciform tip.
 18. Acosmetic wand according to claim 2, further comprising indicia disposedon the housing.
 19. A cosmetic applicator tip comprising an unciformarea adapted to remove vestiges of makeup from a container.
 20. A wandfor facilitating removal of a substance from a container comprising: ahousing; a mechanism coupled to the housing; and an applicator, whereinthe applicator comprises: an upper portion coupled to the mechanism,wherein the mechanism is adapted to retract and extend the applicator,and a tip adapted to facilitate the removal of the substance from thecontainer.